Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who attended West Hartford’s Renbrook School, spoke at the 2025 Commencement.

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Renbrook School was honored to welcome Connecticut Attorney General William Tong as their 2025 Commencement Speaker.

Tong is the 25th Attorney General and first Asian American elected statewide in Connecticut. He first took office in 2019 and is currently serving his second term. As Attorney General, Tong’s top priority is to protect Connecticut families, residents, and consumers, and to stand up to powerful forces that threaten us.

Tong, an alumnus of the school, shared his story with his fellow Renbrook graduates and emphasized how unlikely it was that he, the son of Chinese immigrants who throughout his youth worked weekends side-by-side with his parents in their family’s Chinese restaurant, would be their commencement speaker – and their attorney general.

Born in Connecticut, Tong is the first American citizen in his immediate family. He talked about how his parents – through their hard work and sacrifices – opened doors for their children. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I stand here today because of this place, this community, these teachers, this staff” who were “kind and welcoming to my family,” who encouraged him to keep trying, to work harder and to do better, and who kept the school clean and operational so students could learn and grow.

Tong attended Renbrook Lower and Upper Schools and graduated in the Class of 1988. He then went on to graduate from Phillips Academy Andover, Brown University, and the University of Chicago Law School.

Encouraging graduates to know and remember those in their family who worked and sacrificed for the opportunities they have, Tong urged, “when you come across people like them, your people, make sure you see them. And if they need you, help.”

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